Senior Program Director - YMCA Camp Cosby

YMCA; Alabama; On-site; USD 52,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Onsite housing

Job summary

YMCA Camp Cosby in Alpine, Alabama is seeking a Senior Program Director to lead our signature sleepaway camp experience. You’ll drive the program’s direction, culture, and camper safety while building and leading a high-performing team.

As a senior leader, you’ll own enrollment growth, staff development, and budget oversight for the 2000+ camper season, partnering with marketing and the YMCA to deliver a safe, transformative summer for every participant who stays onsite.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in recreation or a related field.
• 3–5 years of sleepaway/resident camp programming and supervisory experience.
• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills — with campers, families, staff, and community partners alike.
• A self-directed, organized approach to managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, seasonal environment.
• Proficiency with Camp Management platforms (Campminder, CampBrain etc preferred), Microsoft Office, CRM systems, and general web/social media tools.
• Current CPR/AED and First Aid certification (or ability to obtain).
• Willingness to live onsite at Camp Cosby; housing is provided as part of this role.

Responsibilities

• Direct and manage all operations of the Camp Cosby sleepaway camp program totalling over 2000 campers per summer.
• Lead, hire, train, and develop a team including an Associate Director, office staff, and 120 seasonal summer staff.
• Build and execute strategies to grow new camper enrollment and strengthen returning-camper rates.
• Design and deliver innovative, high-quality programming that keeps campers safe, engaged, and coming back.
• Own the budget for the sleepaway program, including revenue, expense tracking, and monthly variance reporting.
• Lead marketing and social media efforts for the program in partnership with the Association marketing team.
• Set and enforce safety, risk management, and staffing standards across all programming, in line with YMCA of Greater Birmingham and ACA standards.
• Represent the sleepaway camp program to the Camp Cosby Board and support the annual fundraising campaign.
• Board development - Provide guidance and direct the Health and Wellness Committee of YMCA Camp Cosby Volunteer Board and manage all aspects of the Medical Volunteer team during the summer.
• Some weekend work required.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Staff development

Education

Bachelor's degree in recreation or related field

Tools

Camp Management platforms (Campminder, CampBrain)

Microsoft Office

CRM systems

Web/Social media tools

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Camp Cosby - Alpine, AL 35014Position Type: Full TimeSalary Range: $51,854.00 - $58,000.00 SalaryJoin Our Team

YMCA Camp Cosby is looking for a Senior Program Director to lead one of the Southeast's signature sleepaway camp experiences. This is more than a job — it's a chance to shape the summers, friendships, and personal growth of hundreds of campers each year, while building and leading a team that shares that mission.

As a senior leader at Camp Cosby, you'll drive the overall direction of our resident camp program: setting the culture, growing enrollment, developing your staff, and ensuring every camper leaves with a safe, memorable, and transformative experience. If you're a camp professional who wants real ownership over a program — not just a role within one — this is your next step.

What You'll Do

• Direct and manage all operations of the Camp Cosby sleepaway camp program totalling over 2000 campers per summer..
• Lead, hire, train, and develop a team including an Associate Director, office staff, and 120 seasonal summer staff.
• Build and execute strategies to grow new camper enrollment and strengthen returning-camper rates.
• Design and deliver innovative, high-quality programming that keeps campers safe, engaged, and coming back.
• Own the budget for the sleepaway program, including revenue, expense tracking, and monthly variance reporting.
• Lead marketing and social media efforts for the program in partnership with the Association marketing team.
• Set and enforce safety, risk management, and staffing standards across all programming, in line with YMCA of Greater Birmingham and ACA standards.
• Represent the sleepaway camp program to the Camp Cosby Board and support the annual fundraising campaign.
• Board development - Provide guidance and direct the Health and Wellness Committee of YMCA Camp Cosby Volunteer Board and manage all aspects of the Medical Volunteer team during the summer.
• Some weekend work required.

Housing

• Onsite housing provided; live-onsite residency is required

Reports To

Executive Director, YMCA Camp Cosby

Qualifications

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in recreation or a related field.
• 3–5 years of sleepaway/resident camp programming and supervisory experience.
• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills — with campers, families, staff, and community partners alike.
• A self-directed, organized approach to managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, seasonal environment.
• Proficiency with Camp Management platforms (Campminder, CampBrain etc preferred), Microsoft Office, CRM systems, and general web/social media tools.
• Current CPR/AED and First Aid certification (or ability to obtain).
• Willingness to live onsite at Camp Cosby; housing is provided as part of this role.

Why Camp Cosby

At the Y, we're for youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Camp Cosby has been a home away from home for generations of campers, and this role sits at the center of keeping that tradition thriving. You'll get the support of a mission-driven organization, a beautiful lakefront camp setting, and the chance to lead a program that changes lives every summer.

YMCA of Greater Birmingham is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employees and volunteers are required to follow YMCA child protection and abuse-risk screening, training, and supervision policies.